David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

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In 1968 Jerry Snell opened a door in the hallway outside our first hour chemistry class. He invited me into what I discovered was a darkroom. Soon I was on the school newspaper and annual staff as a photographer. Later I learned that Jerry was a Lutheran who was planning to become a pastor. A few years later I was not only a Lutheran, but I was heading off to seminary to become a Lutheran pastor, too. Jerry followed a year later and served as a pastor in Missouri until his untimely heart attack and death. I thank God for Jerry and enjoy photography still today – not to mention rejoicing in having served as a Lutheran pastor in congregations in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. I’ve retired now and serve part time as a Congregational Support Specialist for the Texas District of the LCMS. I also provide coaching and leadership training through various PLI cohorts and with individual congregations and organizations. David Bahn is a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Diane, father and grandfather. He is an avid amateur photographer. His photo website is “Flowers by God Photos by David” He also publishes a devotional blog DavidBahn-Reflections.com. He and Diane live in Cypress Texas and enjoy visiting their grandchildren who live in the United States and Germany. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1979, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1991. Diane, his wife, is now retired from PLI (PLIleadership.org). They have offered presentations on Marriage and Ministry Partnership, Leadership, Changing Your Congregation’s Culture, and Missional Living. They look are working with PLI International training pastors and wives of the ELVD Diocese of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania. David’s personal mission statement is “Leading people to realize Jesus’ calling and plans for their lives.”

God With Us

Matthew 1:22-23

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”

Psalm 46:1, 7

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Just after sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean
Just after sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean

When do we most want God to be with us? In the times of trouble? In the presence of our enemies? When life turns difficult? When it is clear that we need His presence, protection, and help.

But God is with us at all times; not just when we want Him or realize we need Him. We need Him every hour. We need His help in every situation. And He is present at all times in all places. Once in a while we realize we need Him close by. Once in while we recognize his presence and blessing. Once in a while we recognize His greatness, power, and control over all things.

Once in a while we recognize His holiness. When we do, we are very much like Isaiah: “Woe to me, I am ruined… (Isaiah 6). Thankfully, when God came to be with us 2000 years ago He came as a baby, born of a virgin. And as such, He came in humility and accessibility; we could make the connection with Him; He was not just mighty and holy.

Today God is no less with us. While we may yearn for Him to be with us in power, for our protection and good, He is more often with us in humility and lowliness. Jesus reminds us that He is with us in the poor and hungry and imprisoned. He is with us whenever we gather for worship in His name. He is with us in the still small voice of the Holy Spirit.

Perhaps we desire God’s presence at our convenience, making Him something He decidedly is not – our personal genie or spiritual rabbit’s foot. But even when we would not want Him with us (when we want to have our supposed fun apart from Him), His presence is for our ultimate good. Rather than calling for God’s presence only when we are in need (when He promises to be with us, cf. Psalm 46); we better seek God’s presence – or our recognition of it – at all times and in all places.

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